Doubts for Boro
Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray once again faces an anxious wait as he prepares to pick his team for the npower Championship clash with Nottingham Forest.
Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz picked up a knock in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Brighton and is being monitored ahead of a round of fixtures which could see Boro's play-off hopes finally ended.
Fellow frontman Marvin Emnes and midfielder Kieron Dyer remain doubts with hamstring problems, as does Emmanuel Ledesma (ankle), and all three will be assessed.
However, full-back George Friend (also hamstring) has already been ruled out and may not play again this season.
If that proves to be the case, he will join midfielder Julio Arca (toe) on the long-term casualty list.
Forest will be without the suspended Darius Henderson.
Henderson was sent off late in the first half against npower Championship leaders Cardiff on Saturday as the Reds went on to lose 3-0 in the Welsh capital, their first defeat in 11 matches since Billy Davies returned for his second spell as manager.
Henderson was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after allegedly elbowing Heidar Helguson and he will begin a three-game ban at the Riverside Stadium.
Fellow striker Simon Cox was omitted from the squad against Cardiff. It is understood that this may have been because he was on nine yellow cards for the season and a 10th against the Bluebirds would have resulted in him missing two of Forest's remaining four fixtures through suspension.
Saturday saw all yellow cards wiped out and the accumulation of bookings will no longer result in bans this campaign so Cox should rejoin the squad.
Stephen McLaughlin (ankle) remains the only injury absentee. The winger is still waiting for his first taste of first-team action since joining the Reds from Derry City in January.
Source: PA
